India Faces Athletics Crisis with Record Number of Ineligible Athletes
A Troubling Trend in Indian Athletics
Indian athletics has reached a concerning milestone, now leading the world in the number of ineligible athletes, surpassing even Kenya. According to the latest report from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), as of April 1, India has 148 suspended track and field athletes, two more than Kenya, which ranks second. Russia follows in third place with 66 athletes currently banned. This list includes individuals who have been declared ineligible due to doping violations and other significant breaches of anti-doping regulations.
Notable Indian athletes on the AIU's list include Dutee Chand, who holds the national record in the women's 100m and has been serving a four-year suspension since December 2022. Middle-distance runner Parvej Khan is also listed, facing a six-year ban that extends until July 2030, while Tamil Nadu sprinter Sekar Dhanalakshmi is under an eight-year suspension imposed in 2025. Their inclusion underscores the widespread nature of this issue, affecting both emerging talents and established athletes.
The AIU's list is not limited to doping violations; it also encompasses individuals guilty of non-doping infractions such as tampering with samples, evading tests, trafficking banned substances, or failing to provide whereabouts information—offenses that carry penalties akin to doping violations. The AIU, an independent organization established by World Athletics, is responsible for overseeing international athletes and their support teams, ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards.
In response to this crisis, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has ramped up efforts to combat doping. Authorities are actively identifying and taking action against training centers suspected of promoting doping practices. Acknowledging the significant role of coaching environments, the federation has mandated that all coaches register. Those who do not comply risk being blacklisted, while athletes training under unregistered coaches may lose their eligibility for national awards.
Following the 2024 Paris Olympics, structural changes have been implemented. The AFI has decentralized national training camps, focusing centralized programs mainly on relay teams. Many elite athletes have transitioned to private training setups managed by organizations like Reliance, JSW, and Tata, or have sought institutional support from government entities such as the Army and Navy. While these reforms indicate a commitment to change, the statistics present a stark reality. For athletes aiming to excel, the challenge now extends beyond mere performance; restoring credibility and trust in Indian athletics has become more crucial than ever.